A Glimpse Of Politics Is Caught On Tape

By IRVIN MOLOTSKY

Published: October 6, 1997

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5—
An unidentified man with wire-rimmed glasses, a bright red handkerchief and a patterned red tie became the unlikely star of this city's cinema verite today when the White House released videotapes of coffees held at the White House for contributors to President Clinton's re-election campaign.

The man, who appeared to be in his late 50's or early 60's, was among a group of donors in the Map Room of the White House on Dec. 13, 1995. He was videotaped speaking with Donald L. Fowler, then the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Although the soundtrack of the videotape is not always distinct, the dialogue goes like this:

''I have five checks for you,'' the man says.

''As soon as this thing is over, I'll call you,'' Mr. Fowler replies. ''I'm sorry, I can't take this. I apologize to you, and we'll get it done.''

On June 18, 1996, the unidentified man returns for an encore, which is more of a nonspeaking cameo role. He also appears, in perhaps his debut, on Aug. 3, 1995.

The White House made a copy of portions of the tapes from 44 such coffees available late this afternoon. Among the people who could be seen meeting with President Clinton are Mr. Fowler; Alexis Herman, now the Secretary of Labor; Harold M. Ickes, the former deputy chief of staff; John Huang, a former Commerce Department official and Democratic Party fund raiser; and George Steinbrenner, the principal owner of the New York Yankees.

''Hi, George,'' the President says to Mr. Steinbrenner on Aug. 6, 1996. ''How are you?''

''Hello, Mr. President,'' Mr. Steinbrenner answers.

''Thanks for coming.''

''Are you kidding? I wouldn't have missed it.''

Mr. Clinton and Mr. Steinbrenner then discuss the World Series, which the Yankees went on to win.

Republicans have charged that the White House coffees were fund-raisers,but there was little evidence of that on the videotaped segments released by the Administration. The camera crews that followed Mr. Clinton into the sessions were escorted out after the initial greetings.

The exchange between Mr. Fowler and the man with five checks appears to have been recorded accidentally. The camera is focused on Mr. Clinton and several other people, but Mr. Fowler and the contributor are standing just in front of and to the left of the camera, and parts of their conversation can be overheard.

The tapes, which were released by the White House on Saturday, provide a rare look at -- and a chance to eavesdrop on -- the people who were invited to meet the President. Each recording has a spoken credit of sorts, like this one: ''Smith is on camera. Rita is on sound.''

Smith and Rita have a difficult time keeping up with the President as he circles the room, makes small talk with his supporters and poses for pictures. There is much chit-chat and the words are often indistinct. Occasionally someone blocks the camera's view; sometimes, as in the exchange about the checks, the microphone picks up the unexpected.

Some of the exchanges are mundane.

''Hello, Rita, how are you?'' the President asks, and the answer is, ''Fine, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you.''

Some will be memorable to the family involved, as in the case of a man who presented Mr. Clinton with a basket. ''I have a gift for you,'' says the man, whose name, on tape, sounds like Richard Elber. ''This is a gift from New Hampshire, a basket that my wife made from a tree on the family woodlot.''

The basket contained a book he had written about the woods. Some scenes involve a bit of bragging. The President congratulates a man for some accomplishment and he replies, ''CNN does what I tell them.''